As part of Raffles Institution’s (RI) commitment to paying it forward, we are pleased to announce RI’s fundraising campaign in support of a greener Singapore: “1823 Trees: Rooting for a Greener Singapore”.
Held in conjunction with the countdown to RI’s Bicentennial celebrations (RI200) in 2023, the campaign aims to raise funds for the Garden City Fund, a registered charity established by the National Parks Board (NParks). These funds will go towards planting trees that will be part of NParks’ OneMillionTrees movement.
“RI is committed to greening Singapore for future generations,” said RI’s Principal Frederick Yeo. “As we count down to RI’s Bicentennial in 2023, we hope that Rafflesians both past and present will continue to exude the Rafflesian spirit of service to the community through this tree planting campaign.”
Since 2011, RI has been working to make the school more sustainable through a four-pronged approach: a green campus, instilling a green culture among students, and integrating sustainability in the school curriculum and our community. This tree planting campaign represents RI’s efforts to do better for sustainability and to safeguard Singapore’s environment.
“1823 Trees is really a step-up of our efforts to do more for sustainability and our environment, through the greening of Singapore,” added Mr Yeo.
Minister for Sustainability & Environment Grace Fu kickstarted the tree planting campaign on 20 Aug 2021 by planting a Gelam tree in RI. The Gelam tree is significant to Raffles’ founding of Singapore as it was observed to be growing at the Orang Laut village by the sea.
Four other trees were also planted by Mr Bey Soo Kiang (Chairman of the RI Board of Governors), Mr Frederick Yeo (Principal), Mr Dennis Foo (President of the Old Rafflesians’ Association), and Mr Raymond Chua (Chairman of the Raffles Parents’ Association).
All donations will go towards the planting of trees. Every $300 contributed will help RI plant one more tree towards this meaningful cause.
RI hopes to raise enough funds to plant 1,823 trees (representing the year of RI’s founding) in 2022. The species of trees and planting locations will be decided by NParks at a later date.
If you wish to donate by cheque,
1. Please address crossed cheque to:
Garden City Fund
and indicate “1823 Trees” at the back of the cheque, and fill in this donation form.
2. Mail the cheque and the completed donation form to:
GARDEN CITY FUND
c/o National Parks Board
1 Cluny Road
Singapore 259569
Attn: Fauzana
Note: All donations via 1823 Trees to the Garden City Fund (GCF) with a valid NRIC/FIN number (individual) or local UEN/Business Registration Number (organisation) are 2.5 times tax-deductible. Your donation details will be provided to IRAS and included in your next tax assessment automatically.